Ramp Metering

Across the Country

Ramp meters are not only being used in the Kansas City area, but also in metropolitan communities
across the country including Milwaukee, Portland, Seattle-Tacoma, Phoenix, Minneapolis-St. Paul,
Denver and more. Such communities have been using them for some time and are benefiting from ramp
metering programs in a number of ways.

Improved Safety

Congestion happens when groups of cars enter the freeway and compete for openings
in the mainline flow of traffic. Merging is more difficult and more challenging
for drivers if ramps are close together or if acceleration and deceleration lanes
are short. Sideswipe and rear-end accidents can be the result. Ramp metering improves
safety by decreasing accidents. According to the Federal Highway Administration:

Enhanced Mobility

Even if freeways are not congested, seven or eight vehicles merging onto the freeway at the same time
can be an issue for motorists. Ramp meters decrease the number of sudden weaving and breaking movements.
By regulating the flow of the cars, ramp meters allow more vehicles to use the freeway,
improve freeway speeds, and lower travel times. Information from the Federal Highway Administration
indicates:

A Better Environment

Roadways can move traffic and benefit the environment at the same time. When they promote smoother
traffic flow and allow drivers to drive at or near the posted speed limit, roadways reduce the amount of
vehicle pollutants that are released into the air and make less of a contribution to existing ozone levels.
Ramp meters help lower vehicle emissions and fuel consumption by decreasing the time that cars spend
waiting in traffic. Any time spent waiting on freeway on-ramps is made up in travel time saving once on
the freeway.